STO. TOMAS, Pampanga – A plastic recycling facility in Barangay San Matias here has been ordered closed for multiple violation of local environmental laws.
Mayor Gloria “Ninang” Ronquillo issued a closure order on the HT Chua Plastic Scrap facility dated March 15, 2022 along with a cease-and-desist order on its operations.
In her order, Ronquillo said residents manifested through a signature campaign to her office a complaint against the facility for emitting foul smell prompting her to direct the municipality’s internal monitoring team to conduct an inspection of the facility in February.
The team found the company in various violations of municipal ordinances on environmental protection, notably: non-conformity to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2016-2025; the absence of environment clearance certificate in the company’s site preparation, construction, and operation of waste management facilities; offensive odor resulting from the discharge of air contaminants; absence of proper septage management system; and the dumping of septage and untreated wastewater into canals, drainages and creeks.
The closure order was served by a joint inspection team composed of the business permits and licensing office, municipal health office, municipal environment and natural resources office, municipal planning and development office, sanitation inspector, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the police.
*Contributed photos
